The Addams Family--Full Disclosure

I know you've been anxiously awaiting my review of The Addams Family.  I wanted to remind you that I love the theater.  I did an earlier post about seeing Motherhood The Musical and mentioned that I was an avid fan of seeing shows on Broadway when I lived in NYC.  So I was delighted to hear The Addams Family was coming to town this week at Tampa's very own Straz Center and I would have a chance to see the show and review it, as it's been on Broadway for quite some time and the show's run ends at the end of December (and I don't anticipate getting up to chilly NYC in the next two months).  I am at times skeptical when seeing the traveling tours of shows because I'm never quite sure what to expect--will the show be just like Broadway?  In this case, the answer is no..and that's an exciting thing!  And here's why....

It's a new story!  Per a recent St. Petersburg Times article, "All the changes stem from a rewrite of the relationship between Gomez and Morticia and their daughter, Wednesday. We found a story beat that we hadn't found before," Oken says. "Gomez gets caught between his kid and his wife, and ultimately he has to ask Morticia for forgiveness. It opened the door to a much stronger central narrative, which, I believe, makes the show work in a way it didn't before."  They also cut four songs, added three songs and substantially changed two other songs.

The show's theme is around love, believe it or not (Fester loooooves the moon, for instance).  As dark as The Addams Family is on the outside and seemingly is on the inside too, they all have a soft spot for someone in their lives.  Much of the story revolves around Wednesday's "secret" engagement to Lucas and through lots of twists and turns every family member seems to connect, disconnect and then connect once again with the people they love.  The story is something most of us can relate to--our love for our parents, significant others, children, friends--it is constantly tested by our actions/inactions.  Like Gomez's situation in which he's trapped keeping a secret for Wednesday from his wife Morticia, we can get caught in the middle between two people we love and risk losing one or both of those people (this is when forgiveness also comes into play).  As the songs in the show go, sometimes we discover that a "move toward the darkness" can be a  good thing in our relationships, embracing being "crazier than you" can make living a little more fun and feeling "happy/sad" at the same time is a the bittersweet emotion we have likely all experienced at one time or another (AML jr turns the big one next week--that's a perfect example of me feeling happy/sad).

The Addams Family is funny, sad, dramatic, sweet, cute and provocative at various times throughout the show.  Although I didn't see the Broadway production, I think the show flowed really well, the songs were catchy and enjoyable (plenty of finger snapping, don't worry!) and the characters were pretty perfect.  Wednesday's voice is phenomenal! Oh and did I mention the Carol Morsani Hall is beautiful and large--no complaining about not enough leg room in this theater!

I highly recommend going to see this show.  It's one-of-a-kind, just like The Addams Family!  It's in Tampa at Straz through Sunday October 23 and tickets are still available.  Stop snapping and go get your tickets!

They're creepy and they're kooky...The Addams Family

I am so excited to have the chance to see The Addams Family next Wed. night.  What's that you say?  You thought you could only see this show on Broadway in NYC?  Not anymore!  The show is traveling and it's in Tampa for only six days/nights--Oct 18-23 at the Straz Center downtown. 

For those who remember The Addams Family movie (yep, forget the show, I'm talking mostly to those of my generation in this blog post--Christina Ricci played Wednesday), this wacky and amazing family now stars on stage as a musical comedy.  The show was created by Jersey Boys authors and the choreographer is also from Jersey Boys (seeing a theme here?  I loved Jersey Boys--saw it in multiple cities).  This show appears to be one-of-a-kind, just like the family.

Per the Straz Center website, THE ADDAMS FAMILY features an original story and it's every father’s nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family. A man her parents have never met. And if that weren't upsetting enough, she confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before -- keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's "normal" boyfriend and his parents. For the official website, visit theaddamsfamilymusical.com.

How much is this going to cost you?  A lot less than you'd think, definitely not an arm and a leg.  In New York you'd pay upwards of $65-$150 or more for tickets.  But there are some great offers from Straz that make this show much more accessible, for the entire family, a date night or girls or boys night out.  So, for the date night/girls or boys night out, they are offering two tickets for $99 in price level one for the Tuesday and Wednesday performances next week, and hurry and take advantage of this offer because it ends this Sunday!  The promo code to use is ADDAMS99.  For those who want to make this a family affair, the show is recommended for ages seven and up and they have a Broadway Family Night on Wednesday, which includes one free child's ticket (under 12) with the purchase of a regular priced ticket and there are no seating restrictions.  Both offers are not applicable to prior to sales, cannot be combined with any other offer and are subject to availability and service charges.

This is worth hiring a sitter for in my opinion, or if your kids are older, bring them along.  Note: Malio's which is just steps away from Straz has a great weekday happy hour from 3pm-7pm M-F where you can get $5 food and $4 wine and martinis.

I promise to do a review of the show next week.  Until then, enjoy your weekends!

Due diligence, even for a 1st bday party

Bday party shopping

I'm a big fan of doing due diligence.  I do this with just about everything in life--potential personal and professional relationships for sure.  I like knowing what I'm getting myself into because I'm a planner (planner of parties, socials, life happenings in general). 

Today's personal due diligence project revolved around AML jr's first birthday party at the end of this month.  I realize AML jr won't remember her party at all, but I will, as will her guests and when she looks back at pictures I want her to see how adorable and fun the day was from start to finish, from decor to food to favors (Gramdma M is the most creative and resourceful when it comes to favors--thank G-d for her!).  So today I took to the streets and the internet to gather intelligence on party decor for AML jr's first birthday.  Her first birthday party theme is puppies because she loves puppies, namely her puppy Maddy whom she fondly calls "dee."  So, naturally, I was on the hunt for cute, creative and reasonably priced items to make her birthday special.  It took some time, but my efforts paid off in savings for sure. 

First I checked out the Dollar Store and found some adorable stuffed puppies (like the old Beanie Babies), perfect for an Easter-like egg hunt, but instead this will be a Puppy hunt.  They had lots of great stuff, but not much in the puppy department.  So, I moved onto Target.  Again, great prices and adorable Halloween costumes and yummy candy, but not much in the puppy variety.  I headed to Party City next, where I knew I'd find good stuff for the theme, but was worried about the prices.  I got cups, plates, napkins, table cloths, games and more.  But my research didn't stop there.  I immediately went home and looked on Amazon and Oriental Trading Co to see their offerings and prices.  And guess what?  I found the best prices and items at Party City.

I could drive myself crazy and go to more stores or spend additional hours on the computer looking for cheaper stuff or additional options, but time is money afterall!  Oh, and this is a one year old's birthday, not her wedding. I really feel like a got great quality at great prices.

So, if you're planning an event, any event, check out your options because you might be surprised which stores are the most reasonable and offer you the variety you are seeking.  And if you're hiring a planner, don't be afraid to ask him/her to do the due diligence and save you money and time!

Glow & Tell is just like show and tell, but for moms-to-be!

So, I now have an 11 month old daughter whom most of you have heard countless stories about on this blog, in person, by phone, etc.  I get asked all the time about my pregnancy from newly pregnant women and future moms-to-be and although I loved being pregnant, I don't really remember the day to day, more so the excitement and morning sickness the first trimester, the belly poppin' out somewhere around six months and meeting AML jr around 8 months.  I got to thinking how nice it would have been to have some kind of app that would capture the day to day or week to week in my pregnancy, something to capture my feelings and thoughts that I could look back at in the future after having the baby.  Basically like a baby book, except it's focused on the pregnancy and it's located online because who has the time to write things down anyway these days? 

I found the app (well, to be fair, someone told me about it and I just had to share the info)!  It's called Glow & Tell and it is focused on the mom and her experiences as her child grows within her.  Glow & Tell, created by Bayfront Baby Place in St. Petersburg, FL, is an interactive Facebook journal that delves into the ups, downs and in-betweens of the user's unique pregnancy through a series of weekly questions.  It features icons to express how you feel weekly, poses a variety of questions that progress as your pregnancy progresses and you can create a custom mommy book which is synced with your answers and can be downloaded at any point during your journaling experience.  Another cool function is that you can share the journal with your Facebook friends at any time or keep it private.  It is really the mom-to-be solution for keeping everyone important in-the-know.

You can use the Glow & Tell application today by visiting the Glow & Tell Facebook page.  After creating a short profile and establishing your personal settings, your weekly journal questions will begin. It's short, sweet and fun, so give it a try!

Deals of the Day

The best deal in town, and by town I mean Tampa Bay, is definitely the first term of bun in the oven bunch.  Only $125 for six socials and a Girls' Night Out.  Sign up here!

Google Offers has Fandango Movie Tickets for $5. Limit two per customer. Redeem tickets online at Fandango site.

Blockbuster Express coupons: Eight 1-night DVD rentals for free

At Blockbuster Express kiosks, get eight 1-night DVD rentals for free via the coupon codes below. (You can enter these codes online or at the kiosk itself; the codes don't stack, and each is only valid once per account.) These coupons are only valid on $1 titles. (Some newer releases cost $2.99 for the first night and are excluded from this offer.) Click here to find a Blockbuster Express kiosk location near you. The codes, each ending October 10:

• 1-night DVD rental via code "6550BW7"
• 1-night DVD rental via code "54DWTM6"
• 1-night DVD rental via code "63MAYB7"
• 1-night DVD rental via code "36ABDP4"
• 1-night DVD rental via code "63KRFT4"
• 1-night DVD rental via code "59SLRH4"
• 1-night DVD rental via code "46WHZS2"
• 1-night DVD rental via code "46NCCC9"

"All-Star" Early Childhood Collection of 10 Hardcover Books for only $25  -- Berenstain Bears, Goodnight Moon, Curious George, Paddington Bear and more!

http://www.fatwallet.com/book-deals/all-star-early-childhood-collection-of-10-hardcover-books/

Bonefish Grill Prix Fixe 3-Course Dinner for 2 for $39 

Best deal on this restaurant that I've heard of to date.

Teething is believin'

I am one of the lucky ones, meaning my child was sleeping through the night, six hours or more, by around six weeks.  Mind you, the first six weeks were nothing short of brutal.  AML jr is a night person, coincidentally like her mother, and most enjoyed the hours of 11pm-4am, waaaay past my bedtime.  I wasn't sure I'd survive motherhood during that first month and half, but I did and soon after she was sleeping six then eight then 10 plus hours a night.  What a relief and a joy!  A well-rested mommy and baby makes for a much happier mommy and baby, wouldn't you agree?  Now I can't even remember those all nighters or operating on virtually no sleep, I mean this.

For months I've heard the teething stories--fever, runny nose, sleepless night, etc. and I've been thankful that AML jr is not there yet, meaning she has no signs of teeth.  I also heard from people that the older the teething begins, the less painful it is and less symptoms will occur (wishful thinking?).  Once again I thought I'd be one of the lucky ones and somehow her teeth would magically appear without any suffering for her.  Buuuuuut last night the teething fairy appeared.  While enjoying a night in at a friend's place whose baby is just a month younger than AML jr the fussiness, drooling, chewing everything in sight and ear grabbing began...and then the dreaded waking up in the middle of the night happened a few times...and then a fever, runny nose and stinky diaper (understatement) this morning--signs of teething were everywhere.  I was prepared with the gum numbing gel, Tylenol, liquids and lots of snuggling.  But not being able to take away the discomfort and help her understand that in just a short time the pearly whites will take the place of the pain is tough to bear for us both.

I feel like teething is yet another rite of passage for moms.  Not only does it mean our little ones are growing up, but it's another test of our care, patience, love and among other things, willingness to accept that we could and should try hard to ease our babies' pain, but we cannot control/fix everything.  Yep, that means that no matter how hard we try to take away the suffering and console our babies, it may not be enough.  And that's where the guilt comes in--should I have/have not used Tylenol?  Should I have stayed home from work with him/her?  Should I have/have not gone into his/her room every time he/she cried through the night?  Should I have/have not given him/her that bottle feeding in the middle of the night?  I don't have all the answers, so like the rest of you, I'm just doing the best I can to care for my baby.  Teethin is believin...that this too shall pass.  At least from what I hear teething passes like so many other baby stages, and then we'll look back and realize it wasn't so bad afterall, and our babies won't even remember the teething fairy, but the tooth fairy on the other hand...better start saving now!